WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center’s Department of Urology will hold a free screening for prostate cancer from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 at its clinical offices located at 140 Charlois Blvd.
Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men. When the disease is detected early, nine out of 10 men can beat the disease.
The screening will include a blood test for prostate cancer known as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal exam to detect prostate abnormalities. Screening is recommended beginning at age 40 for men who are black or have a family history of prostate cancer and beginning at age 50 for all men who haven’t had a prostate exam in the last year.
According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms of advanced prostate cancer can be similar to enlarged prostate and can include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, weak flow of urine, urine flow that starts and stops, pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine or semen and difficulty having an erection. In early cases of the disease, however, there are generally no symptoms.
According to the American Urological Association, prostate cancer about 234,000 American men each year with approximately 27,000 of them dying each year.
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Media Relations Contacts: Karen Richardson, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu, Bonnie Davis, bdavis@wfubmc.edu or Shannon Koontz, shkoontz@wfubmc.edu, at 336-716-4587.
Media Relations
Main Number: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587